The Next Stop: METRO's Podcast
Episode 71: Distractions Can Be Deadly for Pedestrians, Cyclists and Drivers
9-13-2024


Doug Shupe:  It takes about five seconds to send or read a test, and at 55 miles per hour, that is like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.  

Doug Delony:  IÕm Doug Delony. On this edition of the Next Stop: Distracting driving can lead to lives forever changed and lives forever lost.  

[Introduction music plays] 

Doug Delony:  Today, on the Next Stop, we welcome another Doug, Doug Shupe, from the American Automobile Association. Welcome, Doug!

Doug Shupe:  Hi, Doug. Thanks for having me on.  

Doug Delony:  No, thanks for taking the time to visit with us today.  When I think of AAA, a lot of people probably think, you know, roadside assistance, perhaps insurance. But a lot of what you guys do is advocacy or safety as well.  Correct?  

Doug Shupe:  YouÕre right. I mean, our legacy is in traffic safety. I mean, ever since we were founded, we started traffic safety programs. When automobiles were new, you know, we started with school safety zone programs to try and educate people about how to safely drive in and around school zones. And, you know, over the years, weÕve just continued to expand our traffic safety messages and advocacy to include pedestrian safety, distracted driving, impaired driving.  

Doug Delony:  And, really, it comes down to safety is everyoneÕs responsibility. ItÕs not just the driver. So, weÕll jump into that in a second. You know, being a public transit agency like METRO, we can use all the help we can get to spread the word about distracted driving. How dangerous it can be for other drivers, but also, especially for pedestrians and cyclists. So, letÕs start off by talking about the numbers because they are big. I saw them on your website. Bigger than anyone would like them to be. About how many people does distracted driving kill and/or injure per year in the United States?  

Doug Shupe:  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, you know, distracted driving killed 3,308 people in 2022Ñthe last year for complete data. ThatÕs an average of nine people killed each and every day in America because of something that is entirely preventable. And here in Texas alone in 2022, 484 people died in distracted driving crashes, which was actually up 11 percent from the year before. Also here in Texas in 2022, 2,825 people were seriously injured by distracted driving crashes. And that was up 16 percent from the year before. So, here in Texas, the recent data shows that we are heading in the wrong direction, unfortunately.  

Doug Delony:  Hmm.  

Doug Shupe:  ItÕs increasing rather than going down. And the reality is that these statistics are most likely much higher because distracted driving crashes are often underreported. The problem when it comes to tracking this kind of data is how the traffic crash data is collected or how it is not collected.  

Doug Delony:  Mm-hmm.  

Doug Shupe:  ItÕs often very difficult to determine whether distraction was a cause of a crash because people donÕt admit to being distractedÉ

Doug Delony:  Right.  

Doug Shupe:  Éat the time of a crash. And that makes it difficult for law enforcement to determine the exact cause of crashes.  

Doug Delony:  I never thought about that. YouÕre right. WhoÕs going to get out of the car and say, ÒAh, IÕm sorry. I was texting.Ó I mean, sometimes, maybe.  

Doug Shupe:  Exactly. And you know, the other thing is that people know that law enforcement are out there and looking for distracted drivers. And so what you notice when youÕre driving out there, driversÑand IÕm sure drivers with METRO see this all the time:  People trying to use their phones but holding it below the window so that othersÉ

Doug Delony:  Hmm.  

Doug Shupe:  Éperhaps law enforcement donÕt see them. So, people, you know, do know itÕs against the law. Most people. But theyÕre still doing it, unfortunately. You donÕt have to drive too far anywhere here in Houston or throughout southeast Texas to see people distracted on their phones.  

Doug Delony:  People who ride the bus probably see it more than anybody because if youÕre riding the bus you do get an opportunity to kind of look around. You donÕt have to worry about driving, and youÕre looking down into peopleÕs cars. ItÕs astonishing the number of people who are messing with their phones. WeÕre not just talking about driversÉ

Doug Shupe:  Yeah.  

Doug Delony:  Éhurting themselves or other drivers. Uh, pedestrians, cyclists, and even motorcyclists are among those especially hurt and killed by distracted driving. Is that right? 

Doug Shupe:  Absolutely. Anyone can be a victim of a distracted driving crash, sadly. Even the most responsible drivers who would never get behind the wheel and text and drive could still be hit by a distracted driver. And the same goes for vulnerable road users like those who are on bicycles, motorcycles, and of course, pedestrians. So, you know, we just need to remember that we all must share our roads with care, and thatÕs why itÕs so important for everybody to remember that what we do behind the wheel can have a negative impact on other people. Not just us or our passengers in the car but all road users. So, at AAA Texas, we are always working to get this reminder out to the public. We want people to have conversations with their family members, their friends, their young drivers in the family. Maybe the newÉ

Doug Delony:  Mm-hmm.  

Doug Shupe:  Éteen drivers. Talk with their coworkers. Talk about the dangers of distracted driving, and if the driver of the vehicle you are in is distracted or is texting, please speakÉ

Doug Delony:  Hmm.  

Doug Shupe:  Éup and say something to them. It could say your life.  

Doug Delony:  Yeah. DonÕt be afraid to hurt feelingsÉ 

Doug Shupe:  Exactly.

Doug Delony:  Éright? [laughs]

Doug Shupe:  DonÕt be afraid! Yes, say something. It could save your life. It could save somebody elseÕs life.  

Doug Delony:  It does not always involve a phone or texting. ItÕs not always the case. What are some of the other distractions people maybe donÕt think about the fact it could really change someoneÕs life? 

Doug Shupe:  Yeah, you know, distracted driving is any activity that diverts someoneÕs attention away from driving and that includes talking or texting on your phone, but it also includes eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, fiddling with the stereo or the entertainment or navigation system. Anything that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving. Even grooming. I mean, IÕve seen people actually trying to shave or put on a tieÉ

Doug Delony:  [scoffs] Jeez.  

Doug Shupe:  Éwhile theyÕre driving! And you know, but it is important to note, though, that texting is the most alarming distractionÉ

Doug Delony:  Mm-hmm.  

Doug Shupe:  Ésending or reading a text on average takes about five seconds. So, it takes about five seconds to send or read a text. And at 55 miles per hour, that is like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed. What we call Òtexting and drivingÓ is a true triple threat because it takes your eyes off the road, your hands off the steering wheel, and your mind off of what should be the most important task at hand, which is focusing on the road ahead. And you know, many people think that using those infotainment systems in the more modern vehicles these days is safe and not distracted driving. But that is not necessarily the case.  

Doug Delony:  Hmm.  

Doug Shupe:  We want people to remember just because this kind of technology is handsfree does not mean that itÕs risk-free. Handsfree technology might make it easier for drivers to text, talk on the phone, or even use social media while theyÕre driving, but findings from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety showed that dangerous mental distractions still exist even when drivers keep their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road. You know, think about it, when you say, ÒCall Sarah.Ó And then all of a sudden your phone starts to call Kara. 

Doug Delony:  Hm-hmm.  

Doug Shupe:  That is a mental distraction. ItÕs a mental workload, and youÕre trying to stop it then, and it takes your attention off of driving so that you can stop that call that was made through that voice-to-text or voice-to-call feature. And you know, our research shows that mental workload and distractions really do slow reaction time, and brain function is compromised as well. What we find is that people when their mental workload is increased, drivers scan the road less, and they miss visual cues, potentially resulting in drivers not seeing things right in front of them, like stop signs and even pedestrians. And for those who say that, you know, ÒI just send a text, or you know, make a call, or change the radio or something while IÕm at a red light when the vehicle is stopped,Ó thatÕs not safe either. Drivers can experience what is known as the Òhangover effect.Ó A lasting mental distraction that can last up to 27 seconds after a driver uses their mobile device, even while stopped at a red light, stop sign, or while their vehicle is parked. Think about that. Potentially unsafe mental distractions can persist for as long as 27 seconds after dialing, changing music, or sending a text using voice commands.  

Doug Delony:  Especially if that conversation you just had, or whatever it was that was the distraction, was a serious one. Maybe itÕs a quick text from your boss, and it causes you to stress. It might even go longer than 27 seconds, so yeah, thatÕs really something to think about. Even if your eyes are on the road, it doesnÕt mean youÕre really paying attention to whatÕs going on. ItÕs kind of like the difference between listening and hearing, perhaps. And like you said, it happens much faster than people think. It only takes a matter of seconds. I know on your website, on AAAÕs website, various social channels, youÕve shared stories before about some of the victims and the lives impacted by distracted driving. Is there a particular one that you can share with us briefly?  

Doug Shupe:  Yeah. I can actually share the story of just this past April during National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. AAA clubs across the country partner with families who have been impacted by distracted driving with the hope of convincing the public that the risk is not worth it. And here in Texas, AAA Texas worked with a lady named Dee Estelle. On December 21, 2015, Dee, her husband, and her three adult children went to Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth to see Christmas lights. On their way home, the family was laughing. They were singing Christmas songs when their vehicle slowed down for traffic, but a driver behind them did not, and a texting driver slammed into their carÉ

Doug Delony:  Hmm.

Doug Shupe:  Égoing about 70 miles per hour and that crash killed DeeÕs 23-year-old son Alex Trejo and her 19-year-old daughter Gabbie Estelle. And during our press events in April of this year, Dee shared with the public that her familyÕs world changed forever that night. I mean, they went out as a family of five but came home a broken family of three because someone decided that a text was more important than a life. So, instead of what should have been that joyous time of the holidays and celebration in their community, Alex and GabbieÕs family and friends were gathered at the hospital where Dee and her husband Kevin were still recuperating from the crash. ItÕs just a tragic story, but the Estelle family is intent on making a change as a result of it. You know, the family now works to share their story with lawmakers and families to try to prevent further tragedies with laws and safety campaigns that spread awareness about the dangers of distracted driving. In fact, their story, and that of other grieving families, helped convince Texas lawmakers to pass a law banning drivers from using handheld devices behind the wheelÉ

Doug Delony:  Mm-hmm.  

Doug Shupe:  Éback in 2017.  

Doug Delony:  Wow.  And I know there is especially some rules inside school zones, but people may not know about that rule. ItÕs only sometimes in school zones do you see where it says, you know, ÒDonÕt use your phone while youÕre driving. ItÕs against the law. ItÕs unlawful.Ó But beyond the law, the huge ramifications, especially for that family, isÑitÕs just a horrible life or death situation all for a text message, which certainly is not worth it. So, my thoughts go out to that family. What a horrible tragedy during the holiday season. LetÕs talk about some of the solutions or tips for drivers. What are some of the things that people can do if they know that theyÕre tempted, for instance, to use the phone? 

Doug Shupe:  Well, we always like to say, ÒJust put it away.Ó If youÕre gonna be tempted to use that mobile phone, that smartphone, while youÕre driving, put it in the glove box. Put it in the backseat if you have to so that you donÕt have access to it. And think about the last text or work e-mail or social media post. Think about what that was on your phone. Was that worth somebodyÕs life? ThereÕs nothing that is more important than somebodyÕs life. You know, everything else can wait until youÕre stopped in a safe location. We also encourage people to know where theyÕre going. If you are using a navigation system, program your destination in before you start driving. That way youÕre not doing it while your vehicle is in motion. If you have to make a text or a call, just pull off the road safely and stop first. Or if, you know, youÕre traveling with passengers, ask someone for help that youÕre riding with to make a call or send a text message or help program navigation. Be a good passenger. If the driver of your vehicle, like I said earlier, is distracted, speak up and say something. Also, donÕt be a distraction. If you know someone is driving, donÕt text them. And then we also encourage people to, you know, technology got us into this problem, and technology, in some part, could help us get out of it. And thatÕs why many different cell providers and mobile phones have these features like the ÒDriving Focus Features.Ó And we really encourage people to learn how those Driving Focus Features work and set those features while their vehicle is in motion. What that does is it limits the texts that come in. It limits calls that come in. It sends automatic messages to those who are texting you, ÒHey, IÕm driving right now. I will return your text or call when IÕm stopped at a safe location.Ó Use that technology in your phone because, you know, it really could help you stay focused only on the road ahead while also letting other people know that your vehicle is in motion and thatÕs why theyÕre not getting back to you.  

Doug Delony:  Yeah, I really like that because you donÕt hear the dings. You donÕt hear the, you know, if you get a phone call, it will still come over the Bluetooth, but all the other little text messages and dings and the e-mails and the news alerts, it all just kind of goes silent when IÕm driving. So, I like that. On my phone, they call it, ÒDo not disturb.Ó I know different phones, they might call it different things. The other thing you mentioned is, you know, the passengers helping out. Anytime IÕm hitting the freeway and IÕm driving, and my wife is in the passengerÕs seat, I always say, ÒHey, can you look up this freeway? Look at the traffic report. Make sure thereÕs not a crash on this freeway.Ó But IÕm asking her to do it. She gets mad because sometimes IÕm at a red light, and IÕll start to fiddle with the phone, I admit, and even that is a problem. Even if youÕre stopped at a red light and youÕre fiddling with your phone, thatÕs still a problem. And it should be avoided.  

Doug Shupe:  27 seconds. You think about that 27-seconds effect. Even if you do it at a red light. And itÕs, you know, you go on and continue moving, up to 27 seconds itÕs taking your mind that amount of time to refocus and engage fully back into the task of driving.  

Doug Delony:  Here at METRO we have a saying, though, ÒThat safety is everyoneÕs responsibility.Ó Earlier in this conversation, you mentioned that it was recently Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Do you have any tips to share for pedestrians or cyclists just in general when theyÕre walking, rolling, biking around? Maybe theyÕre headingÉ

Doug Shupe:  Yeah.  

Doug Delony:  Éto a METRO service or not. 

Doug Shupe:  Absolutely. You know, what you want to do is be visible to drivers at all times, whether youÕre working or youÕre on a bicycle. Make eye contact with drivers whenever you can so that you know they see you. And this is especially important at night, in low light conditions, like when itÕs duskÉ

Doug Delony:  Mm-hmm.  

Doug Shupe:  Éor dawn outside. Or, you know, in some of the rainy weather that we have here during the heavy downpours. ItÕs important to always make sure those drivers see you by making direct eye contact with them. You know, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 32 percent of pedestrian fatalities happen between 8 p.m. and midnight. So, the dark hoursÉ

Doug Delony:  Hmm.  

Doug Shupe:  Éare a real problem out there. ThatÕs why you also want to wear lightly colored or reflective clothing at night. Or bright color clothing during the day so that people can really see you. You stick out. How to stay in well-lit areas, especially when crossing the street. You also want to as a pedestrian or a bicyclist avoid distractions yourself. You donÕt want drivers being distracted. You shouldnÕt be distracted either. So, you know, remember that as a pedestrian, your eyes and your ears are the best tools for keeping you safe, so stay alert and watch out. And then also, donÕt wear headphones. Your ears will tell you a lot about whatÕs happening around you, so you need to have them. DonÕt be riding or walking with headphones on. DonÕt be playing video games on your phone or even texting on your phone while youÕre walking through crosswalks because then youÕre night being a fully attentive pedestrian or a bicyclist. And also, know and follow all of the traffic rules and the traffic signs and the traffic signals. You need to be aware of what the rules are, and how the vehicles are going to operate around you. ThatÕs always important to do as well. Never assume that a driverÕs going to give you the right of way, either. Make every effort to make eye contact with the driver of a stopped or approaching vehicle before you enter a roadway. And then, you know, just walk and ride your bike in safe places. Use crosswalks when crossing the street. Stay on sidewalks whenever possible. Never walk along highways or other roadways where pedestrians are prohibited. And then, you know, itÕs also important to point out you donÕt want toÑavoid your alcohol consumption and then bicycling or walking. Almost half of all traffic crashes that result in pedestrian casualties involve alcohol consumption. Shockingly, 34 percent of that total was on the part of the pedestrian too. And we know that alcohol impairs your decision-making skills, your physical reflexes, and other abilities just as much on your feet as it does when youÕre behind the wheel. 

Doug Delony:  And when it comes to METRO, I think some of those other safety tips involve never crossing in front of a bus or train. Never try to race a train or beat it to a crossing. If you see your bus, and itÕs moving and itÕs going, donÕt try and, you know, run across the street and chase that bus down. That can be a deadly situation there. And also, if youÕre walking with children to the bus stop or the rail stop, place yourself between children and the road when there is oncoming traffic. Another little barrier to keep them from accidentally ending up in the roadway. Moving onto motorcyclists real quick, and I know weÕre kind of running out of time here, but one of the things I always hear as a driver is ÒYou gotta look twice for motorcyclists.Ó 

Doug Shupe:  Yeah, drivers, of course, always check twice. Double-check both directions. For motorcyclists, you know, make sure that your headlights and marker lights and taillights are on in rainy weather or in the evening. Before passing, stay four seconds behind a vehicle. Check oncoming traffic from the left side of the lane. And signal your intention to turn, and then check for oncoming traffic before passing. Always wear helmets that meet high protection standards. Again, where the proper clothing and eyewear. Assume people in cars do not see you. As a motorcyclist, unfortunately, a lot of times people can miss motorcycles because theyÕre looking for vehicles, so make sure that you assume that people in cars donÕt see you and make sure they do, really. And then also avoid riding in the blind spots of other vehicles, particularly large trucks.  

Doug Delony:  Thank you so much, Doug Shupe, from AAA. Are there any other additional stories, topics, anything youÕd like to say that we didnÕt get to? 

Doug Shupe:  Well, I think itÕs important to mention we have some resources for folks that are free resources that we have put together. You know, because of this continuous threat of distracted driving, in 2018, AAA Texas started a campaign called ÒDonÕt Drive Intoxicated. DonÕt Drive Intexticated.Ó The goal of this initiative is to increase the social stigma of using a smartphone behind the wheel like the stigma that exists with drunk driving. After decades of alcohol-impaired driving safety campaigns, most people know itÕs wrong and dangerous to get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol. Yet many of those same people donÕt think twice about getting the wheel and then using their smartphone. In reality, the consequences could be the same of both DWI and distracted driving. They both could result in crashes that end in deaths and injuries. So, we encourage people to visit our campaign website at aaa.com/dontdrivedistracted. There you can learn more tips about preventing distracted driving. You could watch some television public service announcements and even watch a very powerful documentary called ÒSidetrackedÓ, which was actually produced by AAA Texas with the help of the Houston Police Department.  

Doug Delony:  Intexticated. Well, I think IÕve heard of that. I like it, so IÕll have to check that out. Thank you again, Doug Shupe, AAA.  

Doug Shupe:  Thank you, Doug. Thanks for having me on. Drive safe everybody. 

Doug Delony:  That wraps it up for this edition. Thank you to you, the listener, and all of our METRO riders out there. If youÕd like to check out more episodes of the Next Stop podcast and subscribe, you can find all the links you need on ridemetro.org/podcast. As always, drive less and do more with Houston METRO.  

[Music plays to the end]

RMETRO/pti:kh






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